Did you know that the estimated number of international visitors to Japan for the first 9 months of 2019 has surpassed 22 million?
There must be a reason that Japan has welcomed so many travelers over its borders!
Whether you’ll be chasing traditional dishes, visiting iconic temples or taking in the bustling cities, you’ll need to know what the best time of year to visit Japan is.
Japan is clearly one of the most sought-after tourist destinations. Make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime trip! Discover the best time to visit Japan by reading on.
Some Questions to Answer
Finding out the best time of year to visit Japan will depend on a few things. Japan has four seasons, all of which come with their own characteristics.
Go through the following, ordered by season, to find your best window to visit Japan.
- If you’re looking for comfortable weather and fewer crowds, then Spring (March and April) and Autumn (October and November) are the best for this.
- Do you want a hot holiday? Then August is the time to visit Japan.
- If you’re avoiding visiting Japan in the rain, then you should definitely not visit during the months of June and September, as these are the rainiest months of the year.
- Are you looking to ski? Then the winter months are cold and snowy, perfect for a ski trip. Visit from December to February.
It’s quite impossible to nail down a perfect time of year for visiting Japan, so we’ve compiled another section where we break down the seasons and some interesting facts, read on!
Best Time to Visit Japan
It might not be easy to knuckle down and pick a season right off the bat, particularly if you don’t know what type of activities you’ll be doing or what you’d like to see.
So we’ve compiled a season’s list, just for you.
Summer in Japan
Summer in Japan runs from June to August each year, with temperatures ranging from 70°F to 90°F (21°C – 32°C). The air gets pretty humid, and can be quite stifling.
However, summer in Japan brings many, many festivals of fun throughout the region. It’s also the perfect time to try out scuba diving in a different country. Not into that? Then perhaps check out some of the great hiking trails.
Winter in Japan
December through February are the months to experience a Japanese Winter. The temperatures range from 35°F to 55°F (2°C – 13°C), which is not extremely cold but could be uncomfortable if you’re unprepared.
Japan has incredible skiing and snowboarding opportunities depending on where you’ll be, and Winter is the perfect time for this. Not only that, perfect scenery and beautiful villages coated in the snow, make Winter a beautiful time to visit Japan.
Spring and Autumn in Japan
Spring is the season when you’ll see the infamous cherry blossoms everywhere you roam in Japan.
Alas, Spring is the host to one of Japan’s most celebrated holidays, Golden Week, so you’ll most likely experience large crowds and difficulty booking accommodation and activities. Spring runs from March to May.
Autumn, which is made up of September, October, and November, is also typhoon season in Japan. Don’t let that sway you though! Autumn can be wondrously beautiful in Japan, with the most scenic of landscapes making an appearance.
Depending on where and where you would like to go, places such as WorldRoamer can assist you in booking the best accommodation Japan has to offer.
That’s It! You’re Off to Japan
So, figuring out the best time to visit Japan is not about what everyone else says, and more about your personal preferences.
Our suggestion is to make a list of some of the things you’d like to see and do while in Japan, and then take it from there.
Head on over to our travel channel section to see more great travel advice!
